Testing the radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC) requires a thorough strategy, especially given the complexity of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models. Optimizing xApps and rApps involves onboarding them to the near-real-time and non-real-time RIC, respectively. Consequently, it is crucial to test the RIC in use cases such as traffic steering, energy savings, and quality of experience. The process should include compliance and performance testing of the interfaces. It also involves training and verification of the AI / ML models in the xApps and rApps deployed on the RIC.
Testing a near-real-time RIC and xApps hosted on the RIC requires a test bed of real user equipment (UE) and RAN components connected to an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or 5G Core (5GC) network. But a test setup with Open RAN (ORAN) components, UE, and core networks to generate test data is expensive and challenging to operate. Engineers need a test tool capable of simulating RAN components across E2 interfaces. This tool should include E2 node simulation to support the UE distributed across multiple cells, effectively addressing mobility and traffic considerations. The ability to simulate configurable traffic patterns and handover scenarios is essential to test xApps hosted on RICs.
O-RAN RIC test solution
Engineers testing a near-real-time RIC and xApps need UE and RAN components connected to an EPC or 5GC network. The Keysight RIC test solution emulates all E2 node types standardized by the O-RAN Alliance’s Work Group 3 for testing RIC functionalities at any scale. This cloud solution supports thousands of E2 connections and is suitable for network vendors that need to test the scalability of their RIC architectures. The solution supports the central unit control and user plane (O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP) split and the distributed unit (O-DU) in simulation. It also delivers modeled measurements to test AI / ML processing of xApps and rApps.
P8828S RICtest — RAN Intelligent Controller Test Solutions
RICtest emulates O-RAN network nodes and traffic profiles on different RAN Intelligent Controller’s (RIC’s) interfaces, allowing testing of the Near Real-Time RIC (and of xApps it hosts) and of the Non-Real-Time RIC (and of rApps it hosts)
